Tufting apparatus



April 24, 1934. E, J, MoENcH TUFTING APPARATUS Filed May 3. 1929 5Sheets-Sheefl 2 April 24, 1934. E, J. MOENCH TUFTING APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheetl 3 Filed May 5, 1929 April 24, 1934. E J, MoENcH TUFTINGAPPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5. 1929 lllllll April 24, 1934 E.J. MoENczl 1,956,453

TUFT I NG- APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1929 5 Sheets-Shree?I 5 Patented Apr.Z4, 1934 PATENT OFFICE TUFTING APPARATUS Ernest J.` Moench, Nashville,Tenn., assgnor, by l mesne assignments, to Ingram Manufacturing Company,Nashville, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Application May 3, 1929,Serial No. 360,114

30 Claims.

This invention relates tosc-called tufting ap-l paratus; and the objectsand nature of the invention will be understood by those skilled in theart in the light of the following explanations of the accompanyingdrawings that illustrate what I now believe to be the preferredmechanical expression or embodiment of the invention from among otherforms, constructions, arrangements, or combinations within the spiritand scope thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus, exceedinglysimple and efficient in construction and operation, for usein applyingpile loops or so-called tufts to fabric body or backing sheets, in theproduction oftufted fabric for various useful and ornamental purposes,such as rugs, mats, coverings, drapery, `among others.

A further object of the invention is to reduce to the minimum the numberof moving or driven loop-forming parts that cooperate with thepuncturing needle and thread carried thereby, in apparatus for applyingpile loops to fabric backs, and to produce simple apparatus that canoperate at comparatively high speeds in applying comparatively tightlysecured, closely-spaced and uniform pile loops or tufts to fabric backsor backing sheets.

And a further object of the invention is 'to provide improved pile loop4forming apparatus wherein the loops are formed by cooperation betweenthe fabric-back-puncturing needle and a stationary looperl bladecombined with a cutter, whereby the loops are liberated from the blade.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists incertain novel features, structures, combinations, or-arrangements, asmore fully and particularly hereina'fter explained and specified. I

4 40 Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming apart hereof:-

Fig. 1 shows the machine in front elevation, parts being broken away.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking in direction of arrow A, Fig. 1, thecam groove and certain parts being shown -by dotted lines. l

Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking in the direction ofarrow B, Fig. l.

' Fig. Klis a cross section on the line 4 4, Fig. l.

Fig-r.,l 5l is a fragmentary cross section on the samek planeas Fig. 4,omitting various parts.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section on an enlarged scale with variousparts broken away, dotted lines showing various needle positions.

' separated and in perspective.

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical section on line 7 7, Fig. 6, certain partsbeing broken away.

Fig. 8 shows a face plate in top plan, the needle being shown in crosssection in diiferent positions by full and dotted lines,"the looperblade or arm being shown in dotted lines Where hidden.

Fig. 9 is a. detail bottom plan of a face platev and its looper arm orblade'.

Fig. 10 shows a face plate and its looper blade 65 Fig. 11 is afragmentary detail perspective view showing a portion of a fabric back,a needle carrying the loop forming thread and at its limit of downwardmovement through the back in starting to form a seam or line of loops inor on said back, portions of the associated looper blade and cutter alsobeing shown, the loop forming thread or yarn being exaggerated in size.

Fig. 12 shows the parts of Fig. 11, with the needle slightly elevatedand on its backward swing to initiate the loop formation and deliver thesame on the point of the looper blade.

Fig. 13 shows the parts of Fig. 12 with the vneedle at its limit ofrearward swing and continued on its upward movement from the positionthereof shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 shows the parts of Fig. 13 with the needle elevated beyond itsposition in Fig. 13, and the loop tightened on the blade.

Fig. 15 shows the parts of Fig. 14 after the formation of a number ofloops and corresponding advance of the fabric back, some of the loopshaving been cut, the needle being shown in an elevated position abovethe fabric back and still moving up on its return stroke, the size,arrangement, and spacing of the loops being somewhat exaggerated.

The machine is provided with any suitable base r andV supporting frame,although in the particular example illustrated for purposes ofexplanation, I happen to show a supporting frame that embodies strongrigid end uprights l, at their upper ends connected by rigid horizontaltop rail or bar 2, i whileabove their base portions said end uprights '7carry and are connected by the xed horizontal b ed 4, on the top surfaceof which, the fabric back, body, or sheet a., slides and travels duringthe looping or tufting operations. 'The main rotary drive shaft 5, ofthe machine is arranged horizontally below the bed 4, and extendsthrough and between the lower portions or bases of the end uprights 1,wherein suitable bearings for the shaft are provided. Any suitableprovision, such as pulley 5a, is made for driving this shaft from asuitable source of power.

. Each looping puncturng needle 5, operates from above the bed 4, topuncture the fabric body or back that is fed rearwardlyon said bed bysuitable feed mechanism, and to carry the Vyarn or thread b, throughsaid fabric and form a line .of loops depending therefrom. Each needleis formed with an eye 6a, above its lower end that forms the puncturingpoint, and this eye 60., is transverse or at right angles to thedirection in which the fabric backing is fed alongthe bed 4. The 'needleis preferably longitudinally grooved, at 6c, to receive the thread oryarn leading down to the needle eye, but is fiattened or recessed, at

-. 6b, on the opposite side so that the length of said looping. Eachneedle 6, depends from the lower shaft 9, as an axis.

thread leading up from the eye is accessible for end of its verticallyreciprocatory needle bar 7, to which it is removably clamped orotherwise normally4 fixed. Each needle, bar '7, is confined to andreciprocates longitudinally in and projects below a needle bar holderand guide 8. This needle bar guide is in the form of a verticallyelongated bar or block Vhaving alined spaced eyes orguide ways 8a, bywhich the needle bar is confined to the guide and to longitudinalstraight line reciprocation longitudinally thereof. vThis guide 8,is'supported byand hung from a fixed pivot shaft 9, extendinghorizontally between and supported by the end uprights .1, through themedium of a transverse eye 8d, forming the upper end of the guide 8, andsurrounding and rotatable on l l The guide 8, is thereby swingablevertically on the shaft 9, and hence its lower end and the 'one or moreneedles and needle bars carried by said guide 8, are movable orswingable back and forth in the direction of feed of the backing fabricbeing operated on, as is fully explained hereinafter.

Each needle bar 7, is reciprocated, in its holding guide 8, toactuatethe needle 6, in any suitable manner, as by rock shaft 10, through themedium of forwardly projecting crank arms 10a, normally fixed to theshaft, and pivotal push and pull link connections 10b, between the freeend of said arm and the ends of a cross head or block 10c, xed to theneedle bar if one is employed, or-to all of the needle bars whereseveral are employed. 'I'he rock shaft is mounted in end uprights 1, andis located to the rear of the needle bar holding guide- -The shaft 10,is rocked to reciprocate the needle in 4timed relation to the movements-of certain other operating parts, as

hereinafter explained, by the drive shaft 5,'

through the medium of any suitable power transmission. For instance,from among other transmissions that might be employed, I show shaft 10,providedwith xed laterally projecting crank arm 10e, pivotally connectedby pitman 11, with the free endI of vertically swingable roller arm 12,having pivoted or fulcrum mounting 12a, on the adjacent end of the mainframe. -The arm l2, is swung vertically to actuate crank 10e, and shaft10, by roller 12b, carried by the free end'of the arm and operativelyengaged in the endless cam groove 13, in rotary cam disk 13a, fixed onand driven by drive shaft 5, the cam groove being of such formation asto control the needle reciprocation as hereinafter explained.

The needle bar holding guide 8, is swung forwardly and back on shaft 9,as an axis, and consequently the angular position of the needle orneedles 6, with respect Vto 'a vertical plane, is

Vdetermined by suitable operating means, for instance, such as thehorizontal rock shaft 14, mounted in end uprights 1, and located behindand having operative eccentric connection with the guide 8, to swing thesame. For instance, the rock shaft 14, is provided with short crank arms14a, at their free ends having pivotal push and pull connections l5,with rearwardly projecting ear or ears 8e, rigid with the rear of thelower end of guide 8.

The shaft 14, is rocked back and forth through -a partial revolution, toattain the desired back and forth oscillation of the needle bar holdingguide, in timed relation to the movements of certain other parts, bysuitable power transmission from the drive shaft 5. For instance, in theexample shown, the desired movement is attained by pitman 16, betweenand pivotally joined to the crank 16a, of drive shaft 5, and the crankarm 14e, of rock shaft 14.

The fabric backing through which the needles operate to apply the pileloops thereto, is fed rearwardly on the bed 4, and over the top surfaceof horizontal face plates 17, one for each needle, set down in the bedto fill an opening therethrough. Each face plate 17, while removable, isnormally secured in xed position, as by machine screws 17a. Any suitablemeans is provided to yieldingly press the backing to and hold the sameattened vout on the face plates, and to permit rearward feeding of thebacking thereunder. For instance, any suitable presser foot constructionand arrangement can be provided for this purpose, although, for eachneedle and its face plate, I

Ashow presser foot 18, vertically slotted for vertical passage andforward and back swing of the needle allotted thereto. Each presser footis yieldingly pressed downwardly by coiled tension spring 18a, locatedon the upstanding shank or stem 18h, of the foot, slidably extendingthroughand guided by the top rail 2, and the guiding rail 3, fixed tothe supplemental vertical frame bars 3a, fixed to and depending from toprail 2.

Suitable means are provided whereby the presser foot 18, or the presserfeet if more than one needle is employed, can be lifted from operativeposition and held elevated. In the example illustrated, where I happento show four needles and four presser feet, each presser foot shank 18h,has an abutment 18e, for spring 18a, fixed to the shank and thisabutment is projected rearwardly and upwardly to form a downwardlyfacing shoulder 18d, and an upstanding Wing 18e. The wings 18e, areslidable up and down in vertical guiding slots in rail 3c, fixed to thedepending frame bars 3a., (Figs. 4 and 5) to hold the presser bar shanksagainst axial or rotary movements. A rock shaft 20a, is mounted in thevertical frame bars behind the abutments 18e, and is provided with aforwardly projecting lifting toe 20h, rigid therewith, below and inlifting engagement with the shoulders 18d, of the presser foot shankabutments l8c, so that rocking of the shaft'20a, to lift the toe 20h,will lift each presser foot 18, from operative position, so lthat thefabric backing a, can l be shifted, removed, or inserted under the feet.

Any suitable, preferably manually operated means, can be employed forrocking and holding shaft 20a, although for this purpose I show pull.

under to operatively engage the under side of the fabric backing belowthe presser feet, on its feeding strokes. Each feed dog operates throughan elongated slot 17h, in its cooperating face plate 17. Each dog 21, isformed with a depending and rearwardly extending or bell crank shank21a, at its rear extremity coupled by a transverse pivot, to an uprightcrank arm 22, of a horizontal rock shaft 22a, mounted in the enduprights 1, whereby the dog as an entirety is swingable vertically onsaid rear transverse pivot. In advance of said transverse pivot, thelower horizontal portions of said Shanks of the dogs rest on a cam 22c,on and rotating with the drive shaft 5, whereby the dogs are raisedduring their rearward fabric feeding stroke, and permitted to drop fromoperative engagement with the fabric during their forward return stroke.

The shaft 22a, is rocked back and forth through a partial revolution, tocarry the feed dogs forward on the return stroke while cam 22e, holdsthe dogs in lowered inoperative position, and to pull the dogsrearwardly on operativefeed stroke while the cam 22a, elevates the dogsto operative fabric grasping position. The cam 22e, and rock shaft 22a,are hence relatively timed in their movements, and are also timed withrespect to the movements of the needles.

In the example shown, the rock shaft 22a, is actuated in its rockingmovements by pitman 22e, pivotally joining crank arm 22g, of rock shaft14, and crank arm 22d, of rock shaft 22a (Fig. 3).

A horizontally-disposed forwardly projecting stationary looper blade orbar 24, is arranged longitudinally of and below each face plate 17, tocooperate with the needle movable therethrough to form the pile ortufting loops c, in and depending from the fabric back a. Thelongitudinal axis of each elongated blade 24, is approximately parallelwith the sheet a, and the direction in which said sheet is fed, and saidblade is fixed or supported from its rear end and extends forwardly toits preferably bevelled approximately pointed front 'free end 24a. Enthe example shown, this blade is secured to and carried by and removablewith the face plate 17. To this end, the rear end of the blade is formedwith an elevated horizontal base 24h, fitting the underside of the rearend of the face plate and normally xedly secured thereto by one or morerivets or machine screws 24e. The longitudinal top edge of the blade inadvance of base 24h, is preferably spaced downwardly from the faceplate. Ihe lower longitudinal edge of the blade is usually approximatelystraight, except possibly where the point 24a, is deected down to aid inthe initial loop formation and the retention of the loop on the blade.

The face plate 17, is formed with a longitudinal slot 17e, extendingvertically therethrough for the passage of the needle and of a length toaecommodate the rearward movement ofthe needle, and this slot 17e, iselongated rearwardlyg see 17g, for the passage of the pile loops c, asthe fabric back a, feeds rearwardly. 'Ihe elongated slot 17e, 17g, isparallel with and spaced a distance laterally from the feed dogreceivingvslot 17h, and the looper blade 24, is preferably located in avertical pane parallel with and between the respective vertical planesof the slots 17h, and 17e, 17g, with the blade closely adjacent to andat its point approximately lapping into the vertical plane of slot 17e,17g, usually with the front end of the blade bevelled down to point 24a,and usually deflected laterally approximately into the path of thecooperating needle to facilitate the action of the blade point inentering between the adjacent side of the needle and the adjacent lengthof the thread to assure separation to form the loop, the blade pointand/or the'needle being laterally resilient to yield should there berubbing contact between these parts in operation.

The yarn or thread b. that is stitched through the fabric back a, toform the depending pile loops c, extends from a suitable bobbin, notshown, to and through any usual or suitable tension device and guideeyes, not shown, and downwardly therefrom in the grooved side of theneedle 6, to and through the needle eye and upwardly at the flattened ornon-grooved side of the needle, and it is this flattened or non-groovedside of the needle that in operation moves next to or beside theadjacent side of the looper blade point or free end 24a. As the needledescends from its limit of upward movement, the fabric back a, is atrest and the feed dog is making its return stroke, and during this downstroke while above the fabric back, the needle is swung toward the frontof the machine, by shaft 14, and guide 8, so that when the needle startsto puncture said fabric back, the needle is at its limit of forwardswing, see Fig. 6, and thus punctures the fabric back and enters thefront end of the face plate slot 17e, a distance in advance of the pointor front end 24a, of the looper blade, see Fig. 1l, and as shown by theneedle cross section in full lines Fig. 8. At this forward -position,the needle descends its full down stroke through the fabric back a, andat its limit of downward movement, the needle eye is located a distancebelow the level of the point of the looper blade and a distance in frontthereof, with the thread b, extending belowI the fabric back 'n theformrof a straight loop stretched more or less tightly from the fabrica, to the needle eye, particularly on the flattened side of the needlewhere the thread is exposed for frictional engagement with the fabricwhile being carried therethrough with the needle (Fig. 11). The needlewhile still in advance of the free end of the looper blade, then makes ashort initial return or upward movement, and again comes to rest. Thepurpose of this initial upward movement of the return stroke, is to openthe tightly stretched thread loop above the needle eye and in front ofand to ultimately receive the point of the looper blade, by looseningthe upwardly extending length b', of thread on the flat side of theneedle between the eye and the point where the thread is frictionallyheld between the fabric a, and the smooth surface of the needle. Thesurplus length b', of the thread when thus loosened bulges laterally ortends to separate from the adjacent iiat side of the needle to receivethe looper blade above the bottom of the loop. On the completion of thisshort upward initial movement the eye of the needle still remains belowthe level of the looper blade point, and thereupon the needle under theaction of shaft 14, starts on its rearward swing, and at the sane timethe feed dog 21, starts on its operative rearward feed 11') or stressesor without performing fabric feeding or retarding work, as the fabric ispositively moved -by the feed dog, and the needle mere`y moves with thefabric under the action of shaft-14, as the operating connections forswinging the needle rearwardly aretimed or synchronized to swing theneedle on this rearward stroke simultaneously with the operative feedstroke of the feed dog. This rearward movement of the needle with thefabric a, is designed to carry the initiated loop b', onto the point ofthe fixed looper blade, with the point of the blade possibly yieldinglyand slidably bearing against the flattened side of the needle above theneedle eye and thus passing above the cross portion of the thread whereit enters the needle eye and between the upwardly extending portion b',of the thread and the adjacent flatened side of the needle (Fig. 12).The needle while in its advanced position punctures the fabric andenters the front end of face plate slot 17e, (Fig. ll), and then movesup a very short distance to start the loop for reception of the looperblade point, and thereupon the needle moves rearwardly in face plateslot 17e, to deposit the partially formed loop on the looper blade Fig.12, and as the needle completes its rearward swing at the rear 'end ofthe elongated needle slot 17e, the grooved side of the needle engagesthe preferably inclined or cam edge 17j, of said slot and is therebycrowded or sprung laterally to approximately yieldingly engage theadjacent side of the looper blade point and push back the loop thereonand hence aid in feeding the loops threaded on the looper blade towardthe rear end thereof and the cutter.

When the loop is thus established on the looper blade and the needle isat its limit of rearward swing, the feeding step of the fabric back a,is completed, and while the fabric back is at rest, the needle thenstarts on the completion of its return or upward stroke, during whichthe pile loop on the blade is tightened, completed and standardized asto length by more or less tightening thereof, as the needle slides up onthe length of thread depending from the tension device and through theusual guide eye or eyes on the needle bar, to and through the needleeye, and` down therefrom through the fabric and looped around the looperblade.

When the needle again descends, it swings forward a distance equal tothe distance fabric backing a, is fed forward at each dog feedingstroke, which determines the length of each stitch, i. e. the spacingbetween the pile loops, and when the needle in its advanced position,again punctures the fabric a, the thread from one side of the previouslyformed loop will be laid on the top surface of fabric a, as usual inpile loop forming or socalled tufting machines.

The fabric back a, is impelled on its forward feeding strokes afterbeing punctured by the needle so that the needle moves with said fabricfrom the forward needle position to the rearward needle position, andduring this rearward movement of the needle with the fabric back, eachloop is formed in the thread or yarn depending from the fabric back andsuch loops are thereby threaded and completed on the looper blade, andthereafter tightened thereon to standard or approximately uniform lengthon the upward strokes of the needle.

As the fabric backing a., is fed rearwardly the pile loops gather andslide rearwardly on the looper blade and travel rearwardly through andlongitudinallyof the' longitudinal slot 17g, in the face plate until theloops are severed and pass upwardly from the rear end of said slot andover the rear top surface of the face plate, see Fig. 15.

Any suitable means can be provided for cutting or severing each loop atits bottom or lower end, before the successive loops sliding rearwardlyon the blade, reach the rear end of slot 17g, and the neck supportingthe blade fromits base 24h. For instance, as an example of cutting meansthat can be employed, I show a thin rapidly rotating circular disk 27,one for each looper blade, having a sharp peripheral cutting edgepreferably cooperating with the longitudinal bottom edge of the looperblade to successively sever the bottom cross portions of the loops asthey slide rearwardly on the blade into contact with the sharp rapidlyrotating cutting edge. This cutter disk is vertically arranged, rotatingon a horizontal axis 28, located below the looper blade. The cutter isapproximately located in the Vertical plane of the blade and the topsegment of the cutter vertically laps the lower edge portion of theblade in such manner that the rearward progress of each loop is stoppedby the sharp edge of the cutter until severed thereby. The cutter ispreferably rotated in such a direction that the upper part thereof withwhich the loops contact and where the loops are severed travelsforwardly and downwardly in opposition to the rearward movement of theloops on the looper blade under the rearward pull of the fabric back.This forward or downward rotation of the cutter also tends to preventany possible piling up and accumulation of the loops and jamming thereofbetween the blade and cutter.

As at present advised by experience with the actual practical operationof my invention, I prefer to longitudinally groove the bottomlongitudinal edge of the looper blade, see 24g, midway the thickness ofsaid blade and to a suitable depth vertically to receive, guide andcenter the top segment of the rotary cutting disk, whereby the cutterwith a forward downward action will sever the lower ends of the loopswhere stretched across the lower edge of the looper blade and the slotor groove 24g, therein.

The cutter can be readily sharpened, if need be, by application ofsharpening means to the cutter as it rotates.

In the example shown, each cutter disk 27, is

llO

fixed on horizontal shaft 28, arranged under the j The length of thepile loops formed on the fixed looper bars, can be changed or varied bychanging the limit of the upward movement of the needle bars, as thelength of the thread from the fabric back to the needle eye when theneedle is at its limit of upward movement, minus the distance betweenthe loops on the fabric back, determines the length of the pile loopdepending from the fabric back. The machine provides for adjustment ofpitmanv l1 along crank 10e, and between said pitman and roller 12b, tovary the stroke of the needle.

Provision for adjustment is also provided between pitman 16, and driveshaft 5, through adjustable crank 16a, to vary the back and forth swingof the needles and the length of the fabric back feed strokes.

While the drawings show four spaced needles and four sets of cooperatingparts to simultaneously stitch the fabric backing to form fourparalneedle and associated parts, or a greater number of needles andcooperating parts. ,In fact .the

machine as shown, is designed to receive-many more needles andassociated parts than illustrated. While I happen to show a singleholding guide 8, for four needles, said guide will accommodate one ormore needle bars, and if so desired, one holding guide can be providedfor each needle b ar and all hung from shaft 9, and connected to swingtogether.

The machine illustrated can provide but one needle and cooperating partsto form a single line of stitching or row of pile loops in and dependingfrom-the fabric back so that the pile design on said back can be workedout by shifting the back on the bed to follow various designs, or byworking said fabric back and forth under the needle to form parallelclosely adjacent rows of pile loops to cover so much of the surface ofthe fabric as may be desired. However, the disclosure hereof is designedto receive and operate any suitable number of parallel closely adjacentsimultaneously operating needles and associated looper blades, cuttingdisks, feed dogs, presser feet, etc. to simultaneously form series ofclosely adjacent parallel rows of ornamental stitching or pile loops. Itis but necessary to duplicate each combination of needle bar, feed dog,face plate, vlooper bar, and cutter. The several cutters canl be mountedonthe shaft 28, to cooperate with their respective looper 'bars carriedby their respective face plates or a common face plate, and theoperating devices of the present disclosure are arranged to operate asingle needle combination, and multiplications thereof.

It is evident that various changes, modifications, departures,additions, and/or omissions might be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention and hence I do not wish to limit myinvention to the disclosure hereof except where so required by thefollowing claims construed in the light of the prior art, as the claimsare designed and intended to aiord as full and complete protection as itis legally possible to secure.

What I claim is:

1. In combination; a pile backing sheet puncturing for advancing abacking sheet in operative relation to said needle; a stationary looperblade arranged below the path of said sheet; a cutter to sever the-loopsfor release from said blade; a needle bar for said sheet puncturing pilethread carrying needle; means for reciprocating said bar to carry itsthread through and from said sheet; a laterally movable holder guide forsaid needle bar; and mechanism other than said feeding means, and saidbar reciprocating means, for moving said guide back and forth on itslateral movement to correspondingly move the needle.

2. In combination; a pile-thread-carrying and backing-sheet-puncturingneedle; actuating means for said needle; a stationary looper bladeto'cooperate with the needle in threading the successive pile threadloops on the blade with the closed of the loops stretched across theunder longitudinal edge of the blade and travelthread carrying and -lingrearwardly thereon as the backing sheet advancesandmeans for severingsaid closed ends of the successive loops as they move rearwardly on saidblade, said loop severing means including a `power driven elementmovable relatively of said looper,

needle; feeding means 3. In combination; feeding means for advancing abacking sheet step by step; a needle bar for a pile thread carryingsheet puncturing needle having a thread eye near its puncturing point;means for' reciprocating said bar to carry its needle through said sheetand back therefrom;

mechanism to move said needle bar laterally with said sheet while thesheet advances on a feeding stroke and while the needle extends throughthe sheet and to move the needle laterally on its return stroke whilewithdrawn from said sheet, said needle bar reciprocating meanscooperating with the needle bar to start the needle withdrawinglmovement and thereby initiate the opening of the thread before saidmechanism initiates said lateral movement of the needle bar and to thencome to rest while said mechanism actuates said bar on its lateralmovement with said sheet; actuating connections for said sheet feedingmeans timed in its movements with respect to the operating movements ofsaid needle bar reciprocating means and said mechanism to maintain thesheet at rest while the needle performs its said loop-opening movement;and a looper for cooperating with the needle in the formation of pilethread loops depending from said sheet.

4. In combination; a bed on which a backing sheet to be stitched ismovable rearwardly; a face plate having an elongated needle slotcontinued rearwardly for rearward passage of the 'I pile loops dependingfrom said sheet; a stationary looper blade extending forwardly below andadjacent to said slot with its front free end terminating in rear of thefront end of said needle slot, said blade at its rear end secured to anddepending from said plate; a cutter for severing the pile loops on saidblade;` an under feed dog below and `operating on the sheet through saidvface plate for rearwardly feedmg said sheet on the face plate; acooperating presser foot above the sheet and independent of said dog; aneedle bar holding guide movable forwardly and rearwardly; actuatingmeans for said guide; a needle bar held and guided by said guide; andmeans for reciprocating said needle bar in said guide; said bar adaptedto carry and actuate the pile thread-carrying sheet-puncturing needle incooperation with said looper blade to thread and form the pile threadloops on said blade.

5. In combination; a looper blade having a free end and a longitudinallygrooved longitudinal edge across which the closed ends of the pile loopsdepending from a backing sheet are stretched as the loops sliderearwardly on the blade; a rotary cutter disk projecting into saidgroove to successively sever said closed ends; and needle actuatingmeans to cause the needle to carry the pile thread loops through thebacking sheet and cooperate with said blade in forming and threading thepile loops thereon.

6. In a tufting'machine', a looper member having a free/end to cooperatewith a backing-sheetpuncturing and pile-thread-carrying needle informing pile loops stitched in and depending from the sheet and inthreading said loops onto said member; a circular cutter disk having acutting periphery to successively sever the loops on said member; andmeans for rotating said disk with its edge portion that-severs the loopstravelling in a direction in opposition to the advance of the loopstoward said disk.

7. In apparatus for applying pile loops to a backing sheet, areciprocatory thread carrying and sheet puncturing needle, incombination with a stationary looper blade below the sheet forcooperation with said needle in forming, tightening, retaining anddetermining the length of said loops, relative movement between theneedle and blade being provided for to thread loops on the blade, andrelatively-movable po-sitively-actuated loop cutting means associatedwith said blade.

8. In combination; a reciprocatory needle bar; a holding guide for saidbar and in which the bar reciprocates; means independent of said guidefor periodically advancing a fabric backingstep by step; means forperiodically moving said guide, forwardly simultaneously with eachadvancing step of said backing and for moving said guide on its returnstrokes while said backing is at rest; means for reciprocating saidneedle bar on its puncturing and return strokes to carry its needlethrough and from said backing while said backing is at rest; andrelatively fixed means below said backing to cooperate with the needlein forming pile loops stitched in said backing.

9. Apparatus for applying tufts to a fabric or other backing, includingfeed means to advance the backing step by step; a holder for a needlehaving a tufting thread eye near its point, said holder beingreciprocatory to carry the needle through said backing on its backingpuncturing and return strokes; a looper on the opposite side of the pathtraveled by said backing to cooperate with said needle in receiving andforming the tuft loops; and actuating and timing mechanisms for saidfeed means and for said holder whereby said needle punctures and returnsfrom said backing while said backing is at rest and whereby on eachreturn stroke the needle first initiates the thread loop formation whilethe backing is held at rest, and then moves forwardly With the backingto deposit the initiated loop on the looper.

` cluding timing and actuating mechanisms for Cra said under feed meansand for said needle whereby said needle punctures and returns from saidbacking and starts on its loop initiating return stroke While saidbacking is at rest.

11. Apparatus for the production of tufted fabrics and the like;including feed means to advance the backing; a frame above the path oftravel of said backing arranged transversely of said path and movableback and forth in the direction of said travel; actuating andcontrolling mechanism for moving said frame back andy forth, saidmechanism being adjustable to vary said back and forth movement; a gangof parallel simultaneously movable backing puncturing needles forcarrying tufting threads through said backingfor cooperation withloopers to form loops on the under side of the backing, said needlesreciprocating with respect to said frame and carried laterally on theback and forth movements of said frame; independent actuating and timingmechanism for reciprocating said gang of needles, said last mentionedmechanism being adjustable to vary the length of reciprocation of saidgang, and loopers below said backing relatively stationary with respectto said needles to receive the threads therefrom and to cooperate itherewith in the formation of loops.

12. The combination in a sewing machine with a needle havingreciprocatory movement to form loops from yarn incident to passagethrough fabric being worked upon, and also having lateral forward andreturn movements; of tufting means including a stationary element toreceive and hold loops presented to it by the needle as the same moveslaterally as aforesaid, and rotary cutting means to sever the loops heldby said element.

13. In tufting apparatus, in combination, means to advance a backingsheet; a reciprocatory needle for carrying the tufting thread throughthe sheet; an elongated looper having a free end to cooperate with saidneedle in the formation of loops; an independent rotary cutter diskarranged with respect to said looper to successively sever loops broughtinto contact with said disk; and means for constantly rotating saiddisk.

14. Apparatus for the Vproduction of tufted fabric and the like,including a puncturing needle having a tufting thread eye to carry thethread through the fabric backing sheet and to cooperate with a looperon the opposite side of the backing to form loops on said side of thebacking, a looper at said side of the backing, a carrier for saidneedle, and actuating and controlling mechanisms to reciprocate saidneedle on its backing puncturing and return strokes and to cause saidneedle to begin each return stroke with a loop-initiating movement andfollowed by a lateral movement to deposit the initiated loop on thelooper.

15. Apparatus for the production of tufted fabric and the like includinga needle to carry the tufting thread through the fabric backing andcooperate with a looper in the formation of loops on said backing, alooper on which the loops are formed, said looper having a free end tosuccessively receive initiated loops from the needle, carrying means forsaid needle, and associated actuating mechanisms for feeding thebacking,

and for in timed relation'operating said needle on its backingpuncturing and return strokes and for moving said needle with respect tosaid looper to deposit the initiated loops on the free end of saidlooper after the needle has started on each return stroke to initiatesaid loop, and for maintaining the backing at rest while said needle ismoving up on said loop-initiating portion of its return stroke.

' 16. Apparatus for the formation of tufted fabric and the likeincluding a support on which the fabric backing travels, feed means toadvance said backing step by step, a needle to carry the tufting threadthrough the backing and cooperate With a looper in forming thread loopson the backing, a looper below the path of travel of the backing,actuating and timing mechanism to actuate said needle on its backing,puncturing and return strokes, actuating and timing mechanism to movesaid needle to deposit the,-

top needle having a tuft thread eye near its puncturing point, and meanswhereby said needle is reciprocated on its backing puncturing and returnstrokes, and is moved to deposit each initiated loop on said looper, andon the first portion of its return stroke is moved up to initiate oropen the loop, said means including timing and actuating mechanisms forsaid feed means and for said needle whereby said needle punctures andreturns from said backing and starts on its loop-initiating returnstroke while said backing is at rest.

18. Apparatus for the production of tufted fabric and the like includinga needle having a tufting thread eye, a looper below the plane in whichthe fabric backing travels to cooperate with said needle in theformation of thread loops depending from said backing, feed means toadvance said backing, carrying means for said needle, and timing andactuating mechanisms for reciprocating said needle from above the planein which the backing travels on its backing puncturing and returnstrokes and to initiate the thread loop at the beginning o1 each returnstroke and then to move the needle with respect to said looper todeposit the initiated loop on said looper and then to complete itsreturn stroke from the backing to complete the formation of the loop.

19. Apparatus for the production of tufted fabric; including feed meansfor advancing a backing sheet; a frame above said sheet swingable backand forth on its forward and return movements; actuating and controllingmechanism for swinging said frame forwardly with the backing sheetadvance and on its return swing, said mechanism being adjustable to varysaid swing of said frame; a needle for carrying tufting thread throughsaid backing sheet for cooperation with a looper to form a succession ofloops on the under side of said sheet, said needle being carriedlaterally with said frame on its back and forth swinging movements andreciprocating with respect to said frame; independent actuating andtiming mechanism for reciprocating said needle, said last mentionedmechanism being adjustable to vary the length of reciprocation of saidneedle, and a relatively stationary looper below said backing sheet tocooperate with the needle in receiving the thread and in forming loops,and cutting means for releasing the loops from the looper.

2 0. In tufting apparatus; in combination; a bill-shaped looping devicepresenting its free end toward thex line of reciprocation of the needlethrough the backing sheet to be tufted to enter between the thread atone side of the needle and lto cooperate with the needle in formingloops; means to feed the backing sheet to carry the loops forwardlyalong said device; and a cutter disk for severing said loops to freethem from said device. y

21. Tufting apparatus including means for feeding the backing sheet; areciprocat'ory needle for carrying the thread through said backing sheetfor the formation of a succession of loops thereon; looping meansincluding a nger, the needle and looping means cooperating to providesuccessive loops on said finger; a rotary cutter for severing said loopsto free them from the nger and to form tufts; and means for driving saidcutter at high speed.

22. In combination; means for advancing a backing sheet; cooperatingdevices for forming a succession of loops stitched through and dependingfrom said sheet, including a finger extending through said loops and Aonwhich they travel forward; and a driven rotary cutting disk forlsevering said loops to form tufts.

23. In combination, inl tufting apparatus, a support on which thebacking sheet progresses; a top presser foot; an under feed dogindependent of said foot and working upwardly throughsaid support belowsaid foot; and tufting mechanism including a reciprocatory needle tocarry the tufting thread through the backing sheet for the formation ofsuccessive loops depending therefrom, and a free end looper fingerarranged below the path of said sheet and beside said dog, said fingerand said needle cooperating to locate successive loops onsaid finger,and means for severing said loops to free them from the finger and toform tufts.

24. In tufting apparatus, in combination, a needle to carry thetuftingyarn through the fabric to provide the fabric with depending loops;means to cut the loops to form tufts; a removable face or throat platehaving a slot for the passage of the needle, said plate arranged beneaththe plane of travel of the fabric; and a looper finger normally fixed toand arranged below said plate and carried thereby and removabletherewith and having a free end arranged longitudinally of said slot toreceive the successive loops from said needle. k

25. In tufting apparatus, in combination, a yarn-carrying needlereciprocatory to carry the yarn back and forth through fabric incidentalto the formation of loops depending therefrom, and movable laterallywith the advancing fabric to deposit the loops on the free end of acooperating looper located below the fabric; means above the looper topress the laterally moving needle after it has deposited each loop onthe looper, to an intermediate portion of the length of the looper toforce the loops on the looper toward cutting means; and means for thensuccessively severing the loops stretchedon the looper.

26. Tufting apparatus including a reciprocatory needle to carry thethread or yarn back and forth through a backing sheet; looping meansbelow said sheet; mechanism whereby the needle and looping meanscooperate in providing said sheet with a succession of loops; and adriven rotary disk having a peripheral cutting edge,

said disk being operatively associated with said means to seversuccessive :formed loops.

27. Tufting apparatus including a reciprocatory needle to carry the yarnback and forth through the backing sheet; looping means below the sheetcooperating with the needle in providing the sheet with a succession ofloops, said looping means including a nger having a free end to enterthe successive loops; a rotary driven cutter disk supportedindependently of said finger and entering the same at its cutting edgeportion; and means whereby the cutting edge of the disk and successiveloops are brought together for severing theloops to form tufts.

28. Tufting apparatus including a needle to carry the yarn back andforth through a backing sheet; looping means associated with the needlein providing said sheet with a succession of loops, including a ngerreceiving successive loops; a rotary driven cutter disk revolving abouta normally flxedly-located axis with its cutting edge operativelyassociated with said finger; and means whereby the cutting edge of therevolving disk and successive loops are brought together for severingthe loops to form tufts.

29. Tufting apparatus including a needle to,

carry the yarn back and forth through a backing sheet; looping meansassociated with said needle to provide said sheet with a succession ofloops, including a nger to successively receive the loops; a cutter diskmounted to rotate on a normally xedly-located axis and having aperipheral loop cutting edge; and means whereby the cutting edge of saiddisk and successive loops on said finger are brought together forsevering the loops on the linger at their end cross portions to formtufts.

30. Apparatus for applying pile loops to baci;- ing sheets, embodyingfeeding means to positively advance the sheet; a stationary pile threadloop-

